Watsonville firefighter Bob Warrick attacks a fire inside a utility room at 318 Carey Ave. in Freedom Tuesday afternoon.

A fire erupted inside a utility building beside a Carey Avenue home in Freedom Tuesday. By the time Watsonville firefighters arrived at 318 Carey Ave., flames were gushing from the small outbuilding and a column of black and grey smoke was issuing high into the sky.

Fire Capt. Matt Ryan said firefighters got a quick handle on the fire that appeared to have started at a clothes dryer at 2:15 p.m. Flames charred several walls and the roof inside the seemingly makeshift building.

At least one adult, several children and a dog were home at the time of the fire. Ryan said they all got off the property safely. The main house on the property was not damaged.

Watsonville police shut down a section of Carey Avenue between Roache Road and Nona Avenue for about 90 minutes.

Ryan said the fire damaged numerous personal items inside the utility building.

Dozens of onlookers swarmed to the scene to watch the drama. Several neighbors comforted the residents of the home. One young girl cried openly and clutched her dog as she watched firefighters douse the fire.

Ryan said a county building inspector was called in to check the structure for code compliance.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••

*Photos by Tarmo Hannula*

(Published in 7/23/08 edition)

Share on Facebook